Tag: family

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New York City

This will by an introduction to several posts about my two trips to New York City in the past few years. The first trip was right before the pandemic hit. The second trip was in November 2021, just as things were reopening but still requiring proof of vaccination for inside seating. During the first visit, highlights included Belvedere Castle in Central Park, the show Drunk Shakespeare, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. During the 2021 trip, I got to see Hamilton!! I had tried to get tickets prior to the pandemic, but never could. AS SOON AS tickets went back on sale in August, I went on-line to find tickets! I also got to hear one of my MOST favorite entertainers ever, Marc Broussard, live at the City Winery!

Quick Health Update

My cryoablation went well, according to the electrophysiologist. I am in a lot of pain, but it is getting a bit better every day. We spent about 11 hours at the hospital and I had some bleeding complications. In fact, as recently as last night (2 days after) the wound in my groin was still bleeding some. I have been sleeping with an 8 pound kettlebell on my right groin. But it is over, and I am glad. I just hope it does what it is supposed to do.

NYC 2020

My pre-pandemic trip was in February/March 2020. Little did we know at the time what would happen just days later! On March 1, we were visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; a week later everything was closed. Shortly after that, a hospital ship was in the very harbor where we had just been sightseeing! We also visited Belvedere Castle in Central Park during this trip. A few short weeks later there were hospital tents in Central Park! Needless to say, this was very surreal for me!

I had been to New York City and Central Park many times before, but I had never been to (or even known about) Belvedere Castle! It is a beautiful little castle in an idyllic setting on a pond. I enjoyed it immensely!

My oldest son, Seth, and I. Taken at the Statue of Liberty with the skyline of NYC in the background.
Seth and I; March 1, 2020. Taken at the Statue of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

NYC 2021

As soon as I heard that Broadway was going to reopen in mid-September, I was on my computer trying to buy tickets for Hamilton. Seeing Hamilton live had been a dream of mine for years, and I immensely enjoyed it when it was released on Disney+. I was able to find tickets for early November, so I booked them right away! I made everything else work around that. As fate would have it, my favorite musician was also going to by in New York City that same week! Marc Broussard has been one of my very favorite singer/songwriters since I first saw him as a young man opening for Los Lonely Boys (about 2001 I think). Since then, he has matured as both an artist and a person, now being a father and husband. His soulful southern blues vibe is amazing, and never gets old!

Marc Broussard at the City Winery in NYC November 2021
One of my most favorite recording artists live–Marc Broussard.

To Be Continued!

I plan to do at least two more posts about New York–one about each trip mentioned above. Also expect reviews of some of the places I visited during each trip. Things have been slow going over the past two weeks with the cardiac procedure and aftermath of that, but I hope to be back in full swing next week! In the meantime, let me know if there is anything else you would want me to cover!

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One Down; One to Go!

purple flowr

Well, cancer treatments are done, and cryo-ablation is scheduled for next week. Do it is one down; one to go here in Pennsylvania. Last week I got my first Zometa infusion. I do not feel I had any side effects at all. I did have some bruising at the IV site due to my blood thinners. My next infusion is in March. I have a follow up with the Radiation Oncologist tomorrow, then no cancer doctors until December!! It feels like that is all I have seen in the past 6 months since this all began in March.

Next up–Cardiac Cryo-Ablation

I have confirmed with my electrophysiology office that my procedure has been approved for 9/21. I wanted to make sure instead of hearing about a problem at the last minute like last time! After a slew of appointments last week and this week, I will have a relatively quiet time until next Thursday. On that day, I will get to spend most of the day in the hospital. Apparently, I will have to lay flat on my back for 4-5 hours after the procedure.. If you know someone who has had a cardiac catheterization, this is basically the same principle. I just have to lay longer due to the blood thinners. I am more dreading THAT than the actual procedure. My back hurts like HELL when I have to lay flat for any length of time.

Well, it seems that my medical saga is winding down–at least THIS chapter of it! I am thankful and grateful for all of the people who have helped care for me! My family (of course), friends and neighbors, coworkers, even people I barely know–everyone has been so supportive and kind. Most of all, everyone on all of the medical teams that I have come into contact with have been amazing! I’ve dealt with four hospitals, five specialists, plus a SLEW of ancillary staff. There have also been outpatient facilities where I got my ultrasounds and physical therapy. All of these places and people have made this journey a bit smoother.

Beaver Wine Festival

We did take a brief sojourn from medical things this past weekend. We attended the Beaver Wine Festival in Beaver, PA. My daughter’s boyfriend bought us tickets a while ago, and I am glad I went. We got to sample MANY different wines, mostly from places that are small and local. I bought a bottle of white wine, a fifth of homemade vodka, and a wine slushy bag. This is a whole bottle of wine in a bag that you put in the freezer.

Ray bought several bottles of wine and a delicious creamy limoncello that is a perfect after dinner drink. We were very responsible and got an Uber both ways! We had dinner at a newer restaurant right on the river called The Standard. The view was absolutely stunning. The food was passable and the drinks were strong. I got a bulk slushy cocktail, but Kendyl and Ray both got mixed drinks and commented on this. The environment was VERY loud, though, and it was hard to hear each other. It was nice to get out and do something other than go to the store or for a medical appointment.

close up photography of wine glasses
White wine is my FAVORITE!

Up Next!

So, now that the medical saga is settling down, I plan to start posting about past trips! There are many to choose from. I never finished my review of our pre-pandemic trip to Salem. I also went to Dallas for a conference, and NYC to see Seth, both just before everything closed down. In fact, I was in NYC until March 2, 2020, and everything shut down a week later! Since travel ramped back up I have had a few trips. I have been to Florida to see cousins twice, NYC to see Seth and attend Hamilton.

Travel has also included Colorado for a conference, and a river cruise in Portugal! In addition, I had a few road trips. One to the hills of WV to relax. We also went to Cherry Springs, PA to try and stargaze. Sadly, there was never a clear night. Most recently to Cleveland, Ohio with a side trip to see a cousin and my half-sisters who live nearby. So I have a plethora of trips to choose from! I might start with NYC since I have some amazing pictures from both trips. Or write about the amazing time we had in Portugal!

What would you all like to read about?? I’m happy to write about any of the places I’ve been! Maybe I will even pull out my old blog posts and write about some of the places in more detail. I would focus more on the places rather than just what I did with whom! I realize my writing needs a bit more color!

Requests more than welcome!

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West Midlands Wrap-Up

The purpose of this post is to give you a wrap-up of our West Midlands adventures. I have to apologize for my absence over the past week and a half. On the second to last day of our vacation, I suffered a fall in Dublin. My glasses broke and cut my forehead, and I fractured the radial head of my left arm. Fortunately, I did not have to seek care overseas. I just need to keep it in a sling for a few weeks. It hurts like crazy though, especially with certain movements, so typing is not real comfortable. I’m going to try to post an installment each day until I get caught up on our whole trip.

Further Travels in the West Midlands

This post will cover the rest of our stay in the West Midlands with my family. I previously posted on our visit to Ludlow Castle. On that same day, we visited Croft Castle. Unlike Ludlow, which is in ruins, Croft is still occupied! The first floor and part of the second were open to the public, as well as the little church and the gardens. I greatly enjoyed its beauty and history!

Approaching Croft Castle in the UK with my son Seth in the foreground.
Approaching Croft Castle in the UK.
Beautiful gardens on the grounds of Croft Castle.
The amazing gardens at Croft Castle.

Dinner at the Salway Arms

After the castle we had dinner at a lovely place called the Salway Arms. Seth had roast pork with real life Yorkshire Pudding! The top picture shows  his dish with the Yorkshire Pudding on the upper left. I had pan-seared cod with a lovely white wine sauce. Most important was the wonderful company of Linda and David!

My son's meal at the Salway Arms, roast pork with Yorkshire pudding.
My son’s meal at the Salway Arms, roast pork with Yorkshire pudding.
My meal at the Salway Arms, pan-seared cod in a white wine sauce.
My meal, pan-seared cod with a white wine sauce.

The Black Country Living History Museum

On our last full day with Linda and David we enjoyed the Black Country Living History Museum. It is a lovely area that is like a little period village from the past. They have moved buildings there brick by brick! There have been many things filmed there, the most famous being Peaky Blinders. We also got to watch them make nails and links of chains by hand! The women of the area made nails in sheds behind their homes while many of the men (including some of our ancestors) forged chains. It was so incredibly interesting and educational!

One of the quaint streets at the Black Country Living History Museum in Dudley, UK.
One of the quaint streets at the Black Country History Museum.
An historical plaque describing a Backyard Chain Shop at the Black Country Living History Museum.
An historical plaque at the Black Country Living History Museum.
A man at the Black Country Living History Museum demonstrating how links of chain were forged.
A man demonstrating how links of chain were forged.
An old-fashioned fire truck at the Black Country Living History Museum.
An old-fashioned fire truck.

Canal Boat Tour

We also enjoyed an incredible canal boat tour which is part of the Living History Museum. It meandered through tunnels that used to be part of a limestone mine. It was fascinating!

Seth and I on the canal boat tour at the Black Country Living Hsitory Museum.
Seth and I getting ready to embark on our canal boat tour.
A mine shovel that serves as a memorial to all those who have died in the limestone mines in Dudley, UK.
A memorial to all of the people who have died in these mines.
A beautiful wall covered with vines, a part of the canal boat tour at the Black Country Living History Museum.
A beautiful wall covered with vines that was part of the canal boat tour.

Afterward we enjoyed the most delicious fish and chips I have ever tasted! Even better than those we had in London! The little shop did it all the old-fashioned way!

Fish and chips done the old-fashioned way at the Black Country Living History Museum.
The most delicious fish and chips ever!

West Midlands Wrap-Up

That evening we watched the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle–Linda had recorded it for us to watch. I really enjoyed it, and couldn’t help wondering what those royals thought about that sermon! We also did FaceTime with a couple of our cousins from Yorkshire. I look forward to getting to meet them during my next trip!

One of my favorite pictures is this one of Seth with Ben, Linda and David’s black lab. They got on fabulously!

A picture of Seth with Linda and David's dog, Ben. They unfortunately lost Ben in July 2019.
A picture of Seth with Linda and David’s dog, Ben. They unfortunately lost Ben in July 2019.

So that wraps up the Midlands leg of our European trip. Tomorrow I plan to move on to London and Dublin! Arm permitting, I intend to write daily until the full trip is documented!

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More West Midlands Fun!

We had a lot of West Midlands fun when we spent two full days with my cousin Linda and her husband David! They were generous and gracious hosts and took us to see some marvelous sites, as well as places my ancestors lived and worked. In addition, they taught us so much about the area. For instance, did you know the anchor and anchor chain for the Titanic were both made in Netherton, W Midlands, UK? This is one of the towns of my ancestors, and some of them worked forging chains! This is a replica of the Titanic’s anchor!

A replica of the anchor from the Titanic, forged in Netherton, UK.
A replica of the anchor from the Titanic, forged in Netherton, UK.

Places of Ancestral Interest

Some of the places of familial interest included the cemetery where Joseph Darby (the jumper from my last post) is buried and the church where my great-grandparents got married–Christ Church in Oldbury.

The headstone of my ancestor, Josiah Darby, who was a famous Victorian spring jumper, and who won a world championshiip!
Josiah Darby’s headstone
The church in England where my great-grandparents got married.
The Church where my great-grandparents got married!
Another view of the church where my great-grandparents got married.
Another view of the church.

Castles and History!

We also visited two castles–Ludlow and Croft. On the way to Ludlow we passed fields where sheep just roam free–no fences or anything! Some were marked with a colored stripe and this signified that they were pregnant. In the picture of the sheep you can see the hills of Wales in the distance. Ludlow castle was important in the defense against the “savage” Welshmen. Read more about it here. It is mostly ruins now, but an incredible piece of history.

Sheep just roaming the countryside on our way up to Ludlow Castle.
Sheep just roaming the countryside on our way up to Ludlow Castle.
The ruins of Ludlow Castle, with my cousin Linda in the lower left!
The ruins of Ludlow Castle, with my cousin Linda in the lower left!
More ruins of Ludlow Castle, which was important in the history of the British vs. the Welsh.
More Ludlow ruins.

The town of Ludlow is rich in Tudor architecture which I love!! I took way too many pictures but will share a couple.

Examples of Tudor architecture in Ludlow, UK.
The Tudor architecture in Ludlow, UK.
Other examples of Tudor architecture in Ludlow, UK.
Further examples of the Tudor architecture in Ludlow, UK.

Well, I have gone on for too long tonight! I will cover Croft Castle, our foodie adventures, and the Black Country Living History Museum tomorrow! I will share even more West Midlands fun! Thanks for following our trip! I can’t believe that we will be coming home on  Sunday! But do not fret! I will continue posting since I have to cover our London and Dublin legs of the trip!

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Skipping Ahead

I have had so much fun hanging out with my British cousins that I haven’t posted since I have been here in the beautiful West Midlands of the U.K. I appreciate the hospitality of my cousin Linda and her husband David. They have been generous and courteous hosts and have introduced us to many extended family members, as well as shown us places our ancestors lived, worked and married! We also got to see castles and museums and sheep just roaming around! There is even a statue and museum display honoring my great-great uncle who was a world famous Spring jumper in the late 1800’s!

On the first night we had a dinner with several of Linda’s extended family at a quaint and delicious pub called The Barnt Green Inn. Meeting everyone was lovely, the food was amazing and our server was so much fun! He was from Portugal and getting ready to return there next week.

Seth got a ginger carrot soup as a starter then finished with lamb shops over a pea and potato mash. I had pork belly with scallops over a squash purée. Some of the party got a cool chocolate dessert called a Chocolate Bomb where there is ice cream inside a chocolate ball. The server pours hot chocolate syrup over the chocolate ball and it melts dramatically! It was fun to watch!

Well, we are getting ready to leave for the airport for our flight to Dublin. I will add more Midlands later then try to catch up on London. It is hard to believe we are starting the last leg of our journey! Thanks for coming along!!